X-ray machine assaults anaesthetist

To the Editor: Incidents involving assaults on staff by medical equipment are uncommon, but have been reported in this Journal before. 1 We report another “attack”, involving an x-ray machine and an anaesthetist.

A woman was scheduled for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the radiology suite. During induction of general anaesthesia, the patient’s foot moved against an x-ray table control knob (Box). This triggered slow, downward movement of an x-ray “C-arm”, which was positioned above the head of the unsuspecting anaesthetist. Tracheal intubation was rudely interrupted when the C-arm met the anaesthetist’s head and pushed it towards the patient’s face. However, the radiographer in attendance quickly reversed the movement just before the anaesthetist and patient collided.

The radiology suite is often regarded as an unfriendly environment for anaesthetists.2 This incident reminds us that, in some cases, it may be frankly hostile!

A patient’s foot activates a control knob on an x-ray table